Our country has an election this Tuesday. Perhaps you’ve have heard something about it. If you haven’t done so, I would encourage you to get out and vote. But remember that our faith applies to all things, so whatever we do in the days to come, let’s be sure to do it as a faithful Christian.
First, remember that Jesus Christ is Lord over everyone. There is no town clerk, state senator, governor, US representative, or president whose authority exceeds that of Jesus Christ. They are all under his authority and are accountable to him as to how they govern. Psalm 2:10-11—“Now therefore, O kings, be wise, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Don’t believe the revisionist lie that separation of church and state means that Jesus authority stops at the city limits of Montpelier and Washington D.C. Jesus is Lord of all.
Second, remember that our rulers and our nation is established by righteousness. Proverbs 14:34—“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” This is true for every nation. Righteousness will always exalt a nation, but sin that is practiced, promoted, and legislated is always a reproach on a people. So when you go to vote, vote for the candidate whose character and policies best adheres to the law of God.
Third, remember that some issues are far more weighty than others. For example, a candidate’s position on a marginal tax rate (while important and God’s law does address it), it does not hold a candle to the slaughter of the unborn. Listen what God says of child sacrifice in Jeremiah 32:35—“They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” There are some policies that are misguided and wrong but others that are unthinkable and an abomination to our holy God. And so we must distinguish between them.
Finally, do not put your hope in any candidate, but in Jesus Christ. Psalm 118:8-9—“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” Our confidence is not found in any candidate, but in the LORD and his Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is King. He has conquered by virtue of his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. He has been exalted on high and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Salvation, eternal life, and redemption is found in him. And God is intent on the advance and triumph of Jesus’ kingdom until every enemy is placed under his feet.
So, don’t give into the fear and despair that characterizes much of our land. In Christ, we have a sure and steadfast hope, and he will be reigning both on Election Day and the day after. And if we want our nation to turn to the One who is the Only Hope, that we must show them the kind of a hope we have in him.